Contributed by: Kevin11Kevin11(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on June 10th 2003The buzz surrounding Radiohead's Hail To The Thief is tremendous. Many "insiders" are said that Radiohead is returning to that old Radiohead sound, the sound that made them larger than life, with albums such as OK Computer and Pablo Honey. Radiohead perfected brit-pop with a twist. And the way I lo.

The buzz surrounding Radiohead's Hail To The Thief is tremendous. Many "insiders" are said that Radiohead is returning to that old Radiohead sound, the sound that made them larger than life, with albums such as OK Computer and Pablo Honey. Radiohead perfected brit-pop with a twist. And the way I look at it, there are 2 opinions when it comes to Radiohead..."Yes, Radiohead is very good and OK Computer was one of the best albums of the 90's" or "OI OI OI RADIOHEAD SUX, THEY DONT EVEN HAVE MOHAWKS! WHERE IS MY CASUALTIES CD?! OI!"

This album brings a level of consistency back to Radiohead, a quality they had been lacking since OK Computer. The album kicks off with2 2=5, which seems to capture the entire album. The true Radiohead sound. Leaving over ambitious experiments behind, Radiohead captures a sound unique only to this album.

Fans will embrace the return to form, after many were let down by Amnesiac's misguided direction, while non-fans will continue to be non-fans. A wrong turn by Radiohead, in the battle to win over non-fans was to release There There as a single, the choice seems poor due to the sheer number of marketable songs on here, more so than There There.

The album has it's highs and lows, although the highs seem to outweigh the lows, while boredom starts to set in midway through, most parts are quickly made up for.

Yes, this album is very good. Although nowhere near as good as the buzz would have you believe, unfortunately it seems as if Radiohead will never meet the mark they set with OK Computer. Fans will love this record, but unfortunately, non-fans won't be won over this time.

"Correct,this isn't punk.You show me a punk band that has the creativity to write an OK Computer.This albulm,however isn't OK Computer,but it is still more intelligent and complex than any punk release I've ever heard."

See: The Clash.

As to this record, I really like it. I randomly got into listening to Kid A a few weeks ago. That album is pretty fantastic. After multiple listens it is one of the few records that makes me feel very uneasy, yet leaves me feeling creative and very pleased as well.

I disagree with the reviewer about There There. It's quite frankly their best song if not one of their most complete songs in their discography. Lyrically, emotionally, and musically the song is perfect.

Correct,this isn't punk.You show me a punk band that has the creativity to write an OK Computer.This albulm,however isn't OK Computer,but it is still more intelligent and complex than any punk release I've ever heard.

So my friends and I blacked out on new punk bands from the UK and we went to check what they were (turns out Britain really hasn't put out that many noteworthy acts this century) and we stumbled across a Radiohead review, and I blurt out my very first sincere "that's not punk."

Because Radiohead isn't punk. That's not meant as an insult in a "Simple Plan's not punk" kind of way, but that musically they are in no way punk, they've never had a particularly punk image or ethos or following. They're alternative or prog-rock or whatever. They're more Pitchfork than punknews material.

Normally I wouldn't care, but the whole over-saturation of Radiohead bugs me. I like them and listen fairly regularly, but when it comes to deciding what winds up on a punk 'fanzine,' you gotta draw the line somewhere, and a band that sounds like Radiohead just doesn't fit on this side of the line. Doesn't mean those who love punk can't love Radiohead.

My point being, I understand the whole "this isn't punk" argument this time around.

i don't know, kid. my friends and i consider ourselves pseudo-intellectual. we also go to art school, and i think i am prentious. plus, we all like radiohead.

Anonymous (November 1, 2003)

First off, I would like to state (rather late) that I hate the stereotype by all the "HxC" punk kids (or anyone else for that matter) that the only people that enjoy Radiohead are pretentious, artsy-fartsy pseudo-intellectual kids. Radiohead actually started out as a punk band in the first place, but I think they share the opinion of many that punk music gets just plain boring shelling out the same old power chords over and over--which is what the majority of what "punk" music is today (elitist punks piss me off also). To call people who call Radiohead boring to be "shallow" would be kind of in asshole thing to say, so I'm just going to call them "set in their ways..." So now that thats out of the way...

I think Hail to the Thief is a great album. My favorite songs started out to be 2 2=5 and Myxomatosis because they truly rocked the casbah. 2 2=5 has so much variation in it; the coolest part is when it turns into a crazed 60s-British dance club sort of feel, at about 2:30. Myxomatosis has a catch chorus, and just plain rocks out, how much further can I explain, seriously? A song slowly creeping up to the list of favorites though is "A Wolf at the Door," with its ragga-beat that Thom sampled from a tape he got from a friend. It is quite possibly the closest Thom gets to becoming Dr. Dre.

So in conclusion, I would like to make the statement of the day: RADIOHEAD is more punk than anyone on this website.

To The person that said Karma Police was the best song. I agree but It isnt even on the album so i dont know what ur rambling on about

Anonymous (July 21, 2003)

Radiohead has always been a kick ass SKA band. Theis horn arrangements are great and their two-tone look makes them the kings of the new rocksteady beat. The Toasters stole everything they know from Radiohead.

"whickack!...whickack!...BUT I'M A CREEP! I'M A WEIRDO! WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE?!? I DON'T BELONG HERE!"

Anonymous (June 16, 2003)

"What the fuck? This is a PUNK WEBSITE. What the fuck is a Radiohead review doing on here. I like Radiohead but they don't belong on this fucking website. Should we start reviewing rap music to. I'll tell you what. I'll review the new 50 Cent album. How about that. No, fuck 50 Cent. I'm gonna review some real rap. I'll review Eazy E's 187 Um Killa."Actually Ive already reviewed Jurassic 5's "Power by Numbers" and I do believe someone else reviewed The Roots "Phrenology".Rap doesnt end with pop-rap like 50-cent and gangsta rap of the early 90's like Eazy-E.I think this site has proven time and again that punk does not end with Rancid and the Casualties. THis album, as much as any, deserves to be on here. I may not be the biggest Radiohead fan. In my opinion it is a little boring. But I do recognize good musicianship when I hear it... and they definitley have it.-BostonMusicGuy (Just thought Id address that since no one else did)

Anonymous (June 16, 2003)

"Karma Police" is the best song.

Sara(no h)

Anonymous (June 16, 2003)

fuck you guys. THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE NOFX!!! I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!

Anonymous (June 16, 2003)

Hmmm, I don't care for radiohead, so I must be a dumb "punk" who goes around shouting "oi!". The reviewer came off as more irrational than those who critisize a bunch of tards like Radiohead.

learn to listen to other music than punk, people. expand your horizons, there is more out there.

Anonymous (June 16, 2003)

When I was in Scotland last, some of the rabbits by the side of the road were fucked up. Their eyes were puffy and they walked slowly and haltingly rather than frolicking happily. They were "myxie" rabbits who'd been intentionally given myxamatosis since they were considered pests. Eventually it kills them. So even though I'm fairly indifferent to Radiohead the album gets a 10 for having a song called myxamatosis.

Anonymous (June 15, 2003)

I usually think sickboi is dead on with his comments...howvere I do have to disagree about Radiohead. They are without a doubt an incredible batch of musicians who are (in my opinion) the saving grace of mainstream rock right now.

What the fuck? This is a PUNK WEBSITE. What the fuck is a Radiohead review doing on here. I like Radiohead but they don't belong on this fucking website. Should we start reviewing rap music to. I'll tell you what. I'll review the new 50 Cent album. How about that. No, fuck 50 Cent. I'm gonna review some real rap. I'll review Eazy E's 187 Um Killa.

Just the typical expected genious from radiohead. The album is mellow and meloncholly. Upbeat yet slow and steady. If youve been keeping up with reviews in magazines or online, they will all tell you not expect ok computer or even amnesiac. There is some truth to that, but in the end its still raidiohead and its still beautiful.

'boring' is a relative term, i don't find the band to be boring in the slightest. they may not play on obvious pop hooks or monster guitar riffs, but they still manage to keep my attention. they're subtle, and they've got the art perfected. few bands, if any, can say that these days.

if you compare radiohead to some local band with a jackass warbling into a microphone, i start to wander about you man. even if you can't appreciate radiohead, calling them an untalented, 'emperor's new clothes' band is so unbelievably off-base. listen to OK Computer. it's easily one of the most incredibly crafted albums of the decade. that might be an understatement.

radiohead's vision? i don't think they ever claimed a vision. they're progressive, they're original, they're intelligent, and the fact that they're still widely accepted amongst the mainstream means that all hope is not lost. good enough for me.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

This cd is fanfuckingtastic.

I'd like to note that most people speaking out against radiohead have terrible grammar skillz.

I win.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

Sara...just wait until the next one. He has said the band will be completely unrecognizable.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

They said this cd was going to sound like Ok COMPUTER,and it does. I don't know if that's good or bad. Why wouldn't you want to make something better,or different instead of sticking with the same formula. Anyway, it's good.

No shit it was satire. The guy talks about eating babies and making gloves out of their skin. No one in their right mind would think it was serious. While I'm sure you thought you sounded pretty smart by pointing out the obvious, you didn't.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

I dont like Radiohead at all but Im going to give this review a 10 for one reason... "OI OI OI RADIOHEAD SUX, THEY DONT EVEN HAVE MOHAWKS! WHERE IS MY CASUALTIES CD?! OI!"That made me laugh out loud when I was all alone at work.-BostonMusicGuy

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

i just want to say... punknews is a very respected site. i am not really into the punk scene, but a friend of me is, so he is all the time talking about this site... and well this radiohead review sucks... very very poor i dont know if the guy was trying to sound smart or what. it is a terrible review. thats all.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

A modest proposal. While I am sure you were trying to sound intelligent, I think you failed somewhat, after all satire is king.

I'm giving this a 7. Why? Well, solely because i havent had the chance to go out and buy it yet. I have, however, listened to most of the songs, and I must say that they are absolutely amazing songs, the ones I've heard. Right now, paranoid android tends to be my favorite.

As for those of you who say "I dont like Radiohead. they sux n they bore me". Ya, well you can just fuck off. How do you know how good the album is if you havent even heard any of the songs on it? I didnt think anyone could possibly be that dense. apparently I was very, very wrong.

So, my final word. Reserve your judgement until you actually have proof to back your reasong. Dont be a dumbass, prejudiced indy kid and say they suck before you hear the music.

Oh, one last thing... Punk is not just "poser punk" bands (as i like to call them. It adds those 2 words that have become more of a fad than an actual music style now-a-days) like Good Charlotte and New Found Glory. Punk holds a very, very wide variety of music. Everything from that awful "poser punk", to Post Punk, Harcore Punk, Punkmetal, classic punk (like the ramones and blondie for example), reggae punk (Look at sublime), and even No Doubt seems to have their own category of music.

C'mon people, open your eyes and look the fuck around!

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

The thing is though, this isn't as good as OK Computer or The Bends, let's face it, very few albums are, and yeah it's not punk but I do enjoy a large variety of music. Still, the review was pretty accurate, and wasn't the worst ever on this site by a long long way.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

I sorta agree with the review thing. But I don't think all of them take getting used to. Some of the people, I'd say half, really don't like the CDs.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

First off, everyone always says the new radiohead isn't as good as any other album, then 6 months later you will realize it is still in your cd player, and you realize you love it.

After reading reviews on this site for the last two years, this is how you can sum up every review on this site.

Now before you read this review, i don't care what people say, i like this band (insert any band on vagrant, or any poppy Hot Topic sounding band). So all you people that want to say you hate them, listen to their first EP and tell me they didn't rock.
I know their first album was way better, and I have seen them live a bunch, and now they play the same setlist a lot, but they still rock. They were way cooler before they signed to a major and all the 13 year old girls and thrift store indie kids bought their discs along with dashboard confessional.
But this album is good, not as good as (throw in any band that the "real punks" love and gives the reviewer some indie creds even though the album they mention doesn't sound anything liek the one being reviewed) but it is worth listening to. I got a free copy three months ago and it was ok.

It will hold me over until I get the new (insert any punk band like good riddance that again, the cool kids love but sounds nothing like the cd being reviewed).

The only other review is when it is a non punk album, and everyone says either
1) this album isn't punk
2) I don't care this album isn't punk, I like a variety of music, and don't care what anyone thinks. If you can't deal with it fuck off.

The review will then end, and everyone will realize they didn't say shit about the album.

Why can't this site just have reviewers that review the album, and drop all the shit about whether or not the reviewer listens to music deemed cool enough by the readers. If they don't like the band, why read the review, or if the CD isn't punk enough don't post it.

Anyway, there you go.. if you disagree.. bryanacker@hotmail.com. Personally I like the depth of music on the site, and wish all the gutter punx would relax, and not feel the need to comment on the fact that someone like Tom Waits enough to review him. Punk comes from different influences. A leahter jacket doesn't make you punk, neither does wearing an AFI shirt that you got in the mall. Just like the music.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

Great album, not without it's highs and lows...sail to the moon being the low...myxamatosis being the absolute peak. - bigjerk

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

I don't like this band at all. But if your in to "boring music" I think you'll love this.

good cd.. sounds more like the bends than anything.. its no kid a and its no ok computer... but its deffinately good.. although the problem with radiohead is that each of their cds is good in their own way.. this one returns to The Bends / Ok Computer sound... only fails to beat either out ;o

still good.. give a listen.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

as for radiohead possessing more vision than the normal MTV band, what is there vision, dont beat around the bush with lush tapestries of sound, what exactly is there 'vision', just plain right there, what is it, world peace, a good fuck, what, get down to brass tacks, what is this elusive divinity they channel? point to it, what is the fucking vision.

someone tell me.
wyzo

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

all i know is if a local band was some guy warbling on with lyrics that are so obtuse that they somehow reconnect to depth, you wouldn't blink twice, but since they have such a press machine behind them of people who like to label bands as "the best band in rock today" or some other dumb transcendent clergy heirarchy of music claptrap then radiohead rocks. But boring music with complex instrumentation is not good music, thats why steve vai will never rock harder than at the drive in. Its not just intilligence, its the common fucking melody of emotion and perception. This shit feels like every rose has its thorn when I'm in the mood for hot for teacher.

wyzo

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

Who wants to listen to the same old shit? Not Radiohead fans. To call this band the most boring mainstream band is a completely uninformed statement. As if ANY other band on MTV had half the talent or vision these guys possess. They're not my favorite band, but that's a statement I stand behind.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

I pity the folks who don't like Radiohead. This band is incredible. Also, I thought Kid A was amazing. OK Computer... amazing, and the rest are good for the most part. Though I've only heard this once and it was many weeks ago. So, an 8 is fair for now.

Anonymous (June 12, 2003)

"if you want you could say 'hail to the thief' refers to dubya stealing the presidency, but that's pretty far-fetched."

heh, not very far-fetched

that's very obviously a theme that runs through the entire album, it's kinda hard to miss.

Yes, Radiohead is different, but different doesn't automatically equal good. I'm not going to get into to musical theory or say some uneducated thing about how they just use random noises. I will say this though, I don't like this band, they bore me.

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

Then its doing its job. If stupid people like you hemmingway yourselves whenever good music is played, then I would be fucking happy. Because then there wouldn't be anyone like your dumb ass buying whatever is on the best seller chart at best buy. Which means that those abortion-inducing bands wouldn't be able to make any more music. Woohoo! "Hey! This doesn't sound familiar to me! I'm sacred of this new music! Where's my new Lagwagon cd?" Fucking lemming. twat

Depressive, Suicidal and boring.I've heard the whole record on radio the other day, and I wanted to kill myself.

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

dude, i'm sorry but radiohead does have a very unique sound. I love mogwai as much as the next guy but they don't sound like radiohead all that much. by the way Kid A is fucking amazing, so is OK Computer, they're just two completly different albums, Amnesiac has its spots, the Bends is a great album but not as great as Ok com. or Kid A. This one is steadily growing on me. Myxomatosis is such a fucking great song.

I was referring to the sheet music my friend has for the piano of "Pyramid Song." While I'm not an expert, I'm also not untrained. I know that it shifts time signatures a bunch of times, but it also has a pretty non-standard time throughout. I'll have to check back... I was so sure about 8/9, but it probably is 9/8.

oh yeah, about the album. well, radiohead used to bore me. a lot. they've grown on me since then. i heard this album last night, and it was great, except for one song which was awfull. i think i might actually buy this one.

i'm confused as to why people are calling radiohead brit-pop. this is simply not true, for that would require the second half of that description. radiohead is not a pop band in any way shape or form, and the word "pop" does not mean popular, it's referring to soda-pop. show me a sugary pop song by radiohead, and i'll cut my dick off.

"Pyramid Song" actually changes time signature mid song a couple of times (a'la King Crimson) and that just leads to the illusion of a complex and weird time signature that someone untrained would probably give a weird name, too. It's a pretty cool song though

relay1112, I was being slightly sarcastic. 8/9 time actually doesn't exist, it isn't possible to have something in that time signature. The bottom number represents the kind of note, and the top number represents the number of notes in the measure. The top number could be almost anything, within reason and depending on the bottom number. The bottom number, however, is either 1 or is a multiple of 2 (2 being a half note, 4 being a quarter note, and so on...)

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

I've never really liked Radiohead. I guess I don't get it. I think one of the funniest comments I've ever heard about them was something like, "They sound like a screaming lamb being slaughtered."

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

"People with lazy eyes should be dragged out into a field and shot"
wow. THE stupidest thing ever commited to word. Congratulations.

Ok now to what i really wanted to make this comment about. To the kids that say Radiohead is just a pretentous poseur art band that makes bloopy noises and calls it music, maybe you should LISTEN to the new album before opening your mouth. Just listen to "Go To Sleep" or "We Suck Young Blood". This album is proudly bieng promoted as a departure from the last two "bloopy" albums. Also you're probably the same people that complain about all the "three chord" punk stuff saying it's too predictable and simple. Just trust me on this, Radiohead has more layers than simply hitting teh demo button ona keyboard. It's not music you skate or sing along to. It's music you take in, like reading a book.

About the album. I love There There, and i think it makes a good single. The video it pretty lame though. The only tracks i can't listen to are I Will and The Gloaming. 2 2=5 is my favorite song. Some songs you need to let sit in before you judge it but it's all quality. Much better than the last two albums. But lacks killer standout tracks like The Bends and OK Computer had.

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

i haven't bought the album yet but i liked ok computer. i could understand why this would be on a punk website, because many of radiohead's songs have to do with not liking modern mainstream/yuppie/corporate/american-idol watching culture. if you want you could say 'hail to the thief' refers to dubya stealing the presidency, but that's pretty far-fetched.

"Oh yeah, and to relay...I'll be REALLY impressed when anyone writes a song in 8/9 time. You probably meant 9/8, although, Radiohead doesn't really go that far most of the time, they like to keep the pretense of dancable."

Actually, "Pyramid Song" is in 8/9 time. Of that I'm like 98% sure. And I can't tell if you're being sarcastic... It's the internet. About the "pretense of danceable"... They actually don't. I don't know if you're referring to something like "Idioteque" or what, but I don't see where they try too hard to make all of their songs danceable (especially since many are not). My entire point was not that they are the greatest band ever for having written a song in 8/9 time, it was that people who say they could make music of this caliber in their kitchens are either hidden geniuses or morons.

From the first time i heard the live shows from spain, leading off with There, There, i knew this would be another amazing album. Like most great albums/bands, you can listen to it and find something new every time.
Of course they are one of my favorite bands, which also includes Less than Jake (even border and boundries), Braid, Neptunes productions (even justin), and the Roots. All i could suggest is to get over whatever image you may hold of the people who like the band, and give them a serious listen. If you can, go to one of their shows, surely one of the best experiences of your life.
I was lucky enough to see them in Dublin and Belfast this year when they played small venues of about 2000 people and, while playing loads of new stuff, managed to move every person in those theatres.
Some classic tracks to check out:
Creep (amazing song, especially acoustic)
Paranoid Android (quite possibly the best rock song that could be performed live--and its quite difficult)
National Anthem (great driving bassline)
True Love Waits (fantastic love song)
Just, and most other tracks off the Bends
Talk Show Host

So just give them a listen removed from the preconceptions in your head. You dont have to like or love them, but just respect what they have, can and will do for music.

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

Here's the difference: I don't take Andrew W.K.'s music seriously. Radiohead and their fans take that random compiling of noise more seriously than anything. And to the asshole below me, I don't write for a fucking wrestling site, I write for an entertainment site, in the music section specifically. I've never written anything for 411mania.com except music stuff, and I have nothing to do with the wrestling part of it. Oh and to Kevin11, I have no problem with you but honestly, I really hate that you would say people only fit into two categories of either liking Radiohead or being l33tsp33king gutterpunks who like to play dressup.-----Ryan T. Murphy

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

i don't really like OK Computer. i thought it was good, but was NOWHERE near as good as the bends. the bends, that's a fucking great album

Oh yeah, and to relay...I'll be REALLY impressed when anyone writes a song in 8/9 time. You probably meant 9/8, although, Radiohead doesn't really go that far most of the time, they like to keep the pretense of dancable.

I gotta agree with whats-his-head. Radiohead has never rocked, but that's really not a bad thing anyway. They do some amazing stuff in the studio, but they're not exactly a super-original band because of that, that's just hype. They're just the first band to go big with it, kind of like Nirvana did in the early 90s. There are other bands that sound like Radiohead (Mogwai for instance), they're just hard to find.

Despite that, this album is still really good.

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

Ryan T Murphy write for a wrestling website. Explains a lot, doesn't it??? Quite possibly the biggest dumbass on the planet with the worst view on any music I have ever read. Please go back to covering Hulk Hogan's balls and stop boring us with your threats of violence. Loser.

""OI OI OI RADIOHEAD SUX, THEY DONT EVEN HAVE MOHAWKS! WHERE IS MY CASUALTIES CD?! OI!"

What kind of jackass would say that?"

that made me chuckle

the best thing about radiohead (having never heard any of their cds and only a couple of songs.. of which i really only liked that one with the slow mo black and whtie video in the trailor park.. dont know its name) is in the 'scott tennorman must die' episode of south park

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

waste, while you might be right about this album, he has said the band will be completely unrecognizable in 2 years...so yeah you can expect the next album to be a pretty big step away.

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

CHEF D'OEUVRE! :)

Anonymous (June 11, 2003)

radiohead has never rocked? Go listen to "just" off the bends, thats most definitly rock. And saying anyone can do what radiohead does is just plain ignorant.

picked up the album, special edition because i'm a sucker, and i must say i'm very impressed. it keeps the experimentalism of kid a intact while making it a bit more palatible at the same time. i still kind of feel like the album was a forced retread, in order to keep them at 'street level' so to speak and stay relevant amongst the mainstream. i don't mind it, it's still brilliant, i'm just looking for an evolution beyong kid a and amnesiac. thom yorke said that they still had some wild, 'out there' things in their future and that the best was yet to come. this makes me very excited.

i love radiohead, i've been a fan since OK Computer. yeah, they're not punk, but i consider them to be the most important band in music today.

"holy shit...what ever happened to that band??..."A Soap Bubble and Inertia" is such a great record..."

...yeah, gandharvas dropped off the face of the planet... i guess they're one of the many who will just drop off into ontario indie rock obscurity... it's pretty sad, actually. i only remeber bits of the first day of spring video in my old age.....

i'm getting all nostalgic now.... like what ever happened to kittens? or radioblaster?

hell... i'm pretty happy to see people out there to remind me of these bands...

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

What the hell is with the use of "Oi!" as a symbol of idiocy? Everybody I know that listens to Oi! music are actually rather smart.

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

Wow, I'm really shocked at the people who are "against" Radiohead for changing, "against" what they did to you poor fans when they came out with Kid A. Please, don't be mad at a band because they want to experiment with new things. Are you gonna tell me that Sgt. Pepper's sucked when The Beatles released that?If you don't like the Radiohead changing, really, try to do something about it. If you don't like Radiohead to begin with, why are you commenting about the review?
p.s.- The review was alright. I'm not too bothered by the spelling errors, but clearly others are so proofread Kev.

I hear people calling it pretentious art-rock, and to a certain extent it may be. But you CANNOT call this music easy. VERY FEW PEOPLE could make music as distinct and good as Radiohead's. You try writing music in 8/9 time while juxtaposing electronic and organic music successfully. There's a reason millions of people consider Radiohead "the best band on Earth." It's because they have the talent to potentially be such a thing.

As for the un-punk-ness of Radiohead:

I believe that since almost all punk aficionados like other types of music (Radiohead, etc.), this site is a valid conduit for different tastes of music that might appeal to punk listeners. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that if this site were just punk music, not only would there be 1/5 as many reviews, but it would be a lot more boring to read. Where are you when hardcore or metal is being reviewed if you're such a purist? Let them post other genres of music and if you don't like it, don't read it.

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

radiohead sucks gay dick just like these pussies commenting. especially all those spelling bee winners checking for grammar.

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

I think this band, the Casualties, and AWK suck. But since this a Radiohead review, let me tell you why:

All the high and mighty drama kids at my school loooove this band... Why? Because they are fake beatnicks who wish they lived in the 60's, being a part of Andy Warhol's pretentious clique... Thats the type of music this is... Weird sounds that make art posers feel deep, and don't require much effort to make... If you like one album, thats cool, but its really all you need. If you want more, just make it at home on your old keyboard and kitchen utinsuls(sp).

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

As if you didn't know, IT'S OKAY TO LISTEN TO MUSIC OTHER THAN PUNK ROCK. That being said though, this is a punk site and Radiohead definitely does not fit into that category. If you want to review their album, put it on a different site.

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

"Radiohead are the epitome of pretentious art-house bullshit. They sit there and make random sounds with toys and gizmos in the name of being "deep and artistic" and the sad shit is, every Dave Matthews listening college jock is going to eat it up with a spoon when they're too drunk to care what they're listening to. Oh and for the record, I think the Casualties suck too, and if the reviewer has a problem with that he can come find me, I live in Orlando too.-----Ryan T. Murphy, 411mania.com" Of course a comment that dumb would have to come from an Andrew WK fan...Jesus Christ...

"I think I'm in a very small minority when I say that "Kid A" is my favorite Radiohead album"

i definitely have a love for Kid A that rivals OK Computer.

picking the new album up shortly...

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

Y'know, I come to this site everyday, I listen to a whole lot of shit that would never be considered punk, and I'm a little embarassed that I've been listening to Coldplay more than anything lately and I'm all for expanding the definition of punk and whatnot...

But c'mon. Its RADIOHEAD. You guys aren't pitchforkmedia.com, no matter how much Scott wants you to be. I love this band so much but even somebody like the Pixies (another band I love that is not punk who was reviewed here) have a little bit more business being on here than these guys.

"Radiohead are the epitome of pretentious art-house bullshit. They sit there and make random sounds with toys and gizmos in the name of being "deep and artistic" and the sad shit is, every Dave Matthews listening college jock is going to eat it up with a spoon when they're too drunk to care what they're listening to. Oh and for the record, I think the Casualties suck too, and if the reviewer has a problem with that he can come find me, I live in Orlando too.-----Ryan T. Murphy, 411mania.com"

I think The Casualties suck too...by the way, remember when you were on stage and Andrew WK? I do, I was onstage too, lets all be friends.

holy shit...what ever happened to that band??..."A Soap Bubble and Inertia" is such a great record...

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

yeah definitely some shades of "a modest proposal" in dignin's argument, yet i think he was still influenced more by Mike Tyson than anything. nonetheless, maybe his brit-influenced idea can be carried out someday when i actually have children.

inagreendase

p.s. what was wrong with the sentence

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

Never really dug Radiohead, the only song of their's that I really liked was Creep. Sucha damn good song...

As far as the new song goes, I like the actual music but that man's singing pisses me off. I don't mind high pitched singing but he just does it way, way too much. I spent my money on Metallica's "St. Anger" instead and it's hands down, one of my favorite albums of all time.

i, for one, adore everything radiohead has put out. i don't agree w/ cburst in saying that the kid a and amnesiac showed little growth -- just listen to them!!! (though i know you do....) they just speak for themselves.

and gandharvas!! old school southern ontario indie!! yeah!!

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

"and if the reviewer has a problem with that he can come find me, I live in Orlando too.-----Ryan T. Murphy, 411mania.com"

"A wrong turn by Radiohead, in the battle to win over non-fans was to release There There as a single, the choice seems poor due to the sheer number of marketable songs on here, more so than There There."

radiohead isn't like that. they aren't some pop group who wants to sell millions of records.
personally, i think Kid A is their best album, and from what i've heard of hail to the theif, it's pretty good. i'm definetly goin to buy it.

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

Radiohead are the epitome of pretentious art-house bullshit. They sit there and make random sounds with toys and gizmos in the name of being "deep and artistic" and the sad shit is, every Dave Matthews listening college jock is going to eat it up with a spoon when they're too drunk to care what they're listening to. Oh and for the record, I think the Casualties suck too, and if the reviewer has a problem with that he can come find me, I live in Orlando too.-----Ryan T. Murphy, 411mania.com

First of all, I'd like to continue my crusade: PROOFREAD YOUR SHIT BEFORE YOU SUBMIT IT! Who the fuck cares if you're the first to review something if the review is riddled with errors?

Second of all, to avoid sounding like a pretentious asshole, I'll refrain from the "you don't understand Kid A" argument. So far, I've loved everything Radiohead has released; that means the brit-pop and the weird. They've made unbelievable transitions in their career, but they haven't done it so phrenetically as to finish with a good idea before it's done. They stuck with brit-pop for a while and it was great for a while, then they moved on to weird electronic stuff for a while and it was great for Kid A and Amnesiac, and now they're back to pop structures, trying to expand pop into something more than insignificant keyboards and guitars.

It's no coincidence that so many people love each stage of their evolution: it's because they execute each stage really well. They're not embarassing anybody. Some of their shit just may not fit into your idea of good music, but it's guaranteed to appeal to thousands of others.

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

i have hated the last 2 or 3 radiohead albums, but i really like this one.

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

Radiohead albums for me always take a good month or two to "settle in." This album was no different. But after listening to it for 2 months now, I can finally rank it among the other albums:

I miss Pablo HOney and The Bends style radiohead. When their was a riff and a song structure. I'm not close-minded, I just like to have at least instruments paying instead of wigged-out machines playing wierd noises for 60 min. Their trying to much to be wierd for the sake of being wierd. If you want good wierd go get Gandharvas.

honestly, i love radiohead. but, the last two cds (this and amnesiac) have been kinda boring, and demonstrated little growth or innovation, unlike the four that preceeded it. they need to retire before they embarass themselves further. (the same advice to: pennywise, all those ex-epitaph and fat bands now on sideone, the union, and victory, so on and so forth)

I think I'm in a very small minority when I say that "Kid A" is my favorite Radiohead album.

As for this one, I've listened to the MP3s I have of it a few times and I enjoyed it. Later today I'll be off to go pick up a real copy [and I'm probably dumb enough to shell out the extra money for the "limited edition packaging" or whatnot, too].

-Scott

Anonymous (June 10, 2003)

Yea....definitely, fo-t. We thought Armor for Sleep was the new aesthetic (sp)...we forgot this band is still around. They have to be THE most boring mainstream band.